CUSTOMER PROFILE Crossroads of success Air Astana is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Central Asia By Elena Alexandrova With 16 million people, Kazakhstan is a small market, but its location at the heart of Central Asia makes it a natural crossroads for business across the region. And that has enabled Air Astana, the Kazakhstan flag carrier, to become one of the most successful and fastest-growing airlines in Central Asia, while also winning industry recognition for its passenger experience. Air Astana has grown rapidly since 2002 when it made its first flight from Almaty to Astana with a Boeing 737. Today, the carrier operates a fleet of 30 Western aircraft, including two Boeing 767s and five 757s, on a network of more than 60 international and domestic routes from its main hubs in Almaty and Astana. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is part of the airline’s growth plans. Air Astana has been profitable since launch, with ownership split 51-49 percent, respectively, between the National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna” and the United Kingdom’s BAE Systems. The carrier provides regional service into its Almaty and Astana hubs from neighboring countries, including China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, 36 Frontiers March 2014 Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and India. Connections provide services to long-haul destinations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Air Astana was named Best Airline in Central Asia and India at the 2013 World Airline Awards ceremony during the Paris Air Show, based on results from one of the largest passenger- satisfaction surveys in the world. It won for Best Staff Service in Central Asia and India as well. Air Astana also received a four-star rating (out of five) from Skytrax, which operates an airline quality rating system. And 2013 marked the second consecutive year this carrier—the first based in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe—won these prestigious awards. Air Astana’s fleet is scheduled to grow to 43 airplanes by 2020, with three new Boeing 767s and three 787s in the mix. Development of Air Astana’s long-haul service, particularly in Asia, will receive critical support from two new Boeing 767-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes that entered the fleet in 2013 and by a third 767-300ER planned for future delivery. The 767, equipped with fuel-saving winglets, is capable of operating on all of Air Astana’s present and most of its future route network without restriction or the need for technical stops, according to Air Astana President Peter Foster. “We are looking at another year of success in 2014,” said Foster, a former Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Royal Brunei executive. “The main focus will be on further expansion in the CIS and Central Asia region, and the new Boeing 767-300ERs will also enable capacity growth across our long-haul network.” Looking further ahead, Foster said the delivery of the three 787-8s in coming years promises to be transformational, giving Air Astana an airplane with a global reach, strong customer experience, high fuel efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint. n elena.alexandrova@boeing.com PHOTO: A Boeing 767-300ER (Extended Range) in Air Astana livery. The airline plans to bolster its long-haul service with Boeing 767s and 787s. AIR ASTANA
Frontiers March 2014 Issue
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